Deacons and elders are distinct roles in the church. Deacons are called to serve the practical needs of others so that elders and pastors can focus on spiritual matters like prayer and preaching. The first deacons mentioned in Acts 6 were chosen for their spiritual qualifications and character in order to oversee benevolence ministry. Deacons are called to assist the pastor and serve others humbly as representatives of Christ.

1. is the Deacon
God would have me to be
Tony Williams
2009 Chairman of Deacon Ministries
First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA

2. Cruise Ship
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3. Retrofit
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4. Aircraft Carrier
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5. Grounded and Confused
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6. Equipped and Launched
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7. 1. Deacons and Elders ~ Two Distinct Offices
These are the offices of the Church
Deacons are not Elders
Elders are not Deacons
The terms , Elder, Pastor (shepherd), and Overseer
(bishop) are used synonymously in the New Testament
Elders had the role of the general oversight of the
Church

8. 2. The Office of the Deacon was created for the
Purpose of handling the Benevolence Ministry
The Biblical account is clear ~ Acts 6: 1-3
And in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied, there arose a
murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows
were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the
multiple of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we
should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look
ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The Apostles were not to give up “preaching the word”
The seven were to look after “This Business”

9. 3. The purpose was to “Free” the Apostles to Pray
and Prepare to Minister the Word of God
Some understood this passage to mean the role of the deacons
was to oversee “the business” of the church
The text says “this business”, not “the business”
“This business” refers to the business of benevolence
Deacons are to share with the Pastor the burdens of church
ministry; they are to shield the Pastor and relieve him of
burdens so that he may devote himself to a spiritual ministry.

10. 4. The early Deacons were selected for their
Spiritual Qualifications
God is looking for “Core Qualifications” as in:
1st Timothy 3
Acts 6
Not external characteristics, but internal dynamics
Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom
… Acts 6:3
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy
Spirit… Acts 6:5

11. God may have to
“Disqualify” you to “Qualify” you.
Consider Moses:
The first 40 years of his life he thought he was a “Somebody”
The next 40 years he found out he was a “Nobody”
The last 40 years of his life he found out what God could do
with a “Nobody”
D.L. Moody

12. 5. Deacons are to be capable of serving the Lord
in Spiritual Ways
Stephen was a man of “Spiritual Power” ~ Acts 6:8
Full of Faith and Power, he did great wonders and signs
among the people.
Philip was gifted in Evangelism ~ Acts 8:5-7
He preached Christ to them and multitudes with one
accord heeded the things spoken by Philip

13. 6. The word “Deacon” means “Servant”
Comes from the Greek word “Diakonos” which can be
translated deacon or minister.
The Pastor is the ministering leader in a New Testament
Church, the deacons are ministering servants.
The root meaning is
“To raise dust in a hurry or by hastening”
Not to stir up confusion, but to be busy serving
Deacons are the Pastor’s assistants in ministry

14. Diakoneo ~ root meaning suggests
“Personal help to Others”
Diakonia is found 34 times in the NT and means
Service at the Table in Luke 10:40 and Acts 6:1, etc…
Diakonos is found 29 times in the NT and the primary
meaning is to serve tables.

15. 7. The Office of Deacon requires a Godly Life
Much of 1st Timothy 3 speaks of the reputation in the
community.
…Good Standing and Great Boldness in Faith
Reverent
Not double-tongued
Not given to much wine
Not greedy for money
Holding the mystery of the Faith with a pure conscience

16. Tested Wives
Serve as deacons
Found blameless Reverant
Husband of one wife Not slanderers
Ruling their children Temperate
well Faithful in all things
Ruling their houses
well

17. 8. The Office of Deacon requires a firm grasp on
Sound Doctrine.
They must possess the mystic secret of the faith
Christian Truth as hidden from ungodly men
The church is a Content Oriented body.
The church is a doctrinally driven community, built upon
Truth
Every member should have this approach in fellowship and
deacons more so.

18. 9. The presence of Deacons should advance the
Unity of the Church
Acts 6:5, when the Apostles laid out the plan to create
this office “the saying pleased the whole multitude”
Complaints about the Benevolence Ministry stopped.
Any time a church has deacons who are properly doing
their jobs, the church is more likely to be at unity.

19. 10. The presence of Deacons should advance the
Evangelism
The creation of the office of Deacon was to eliminate
controversy and to get the Church back to fulfilling its
mission.
Acts 6:8 ~ Then the Word of God spread, and the
number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a
great many priests were obedient in the Faith.
When a church has Deacons who are in God’s Will, the
cause of Christ will spread rapidly.

20. “If we are going to win this world to Christ,
it will take all of us.” Pastor Johnny Hunt
Tony Williams
2009 Chairman of Deacon Ministries
First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA